IT REALLY is not surprising that Mr Winston Churchill worked
himself up in a fine frenzy before the Marconi Committee. In vain
the Chairman tremblingly explained that it was entirely out of kind
consideration for the First Lord, and in order that he might with
his own lips deny the truth of the rumours that were making sport
with his name, that the Committee had invited him to the witnesses'
chair. It was monstrous, Mr Churchill indignantly exclaimed, that
merely to refute the tittle-tattle of the clubs he should be called
away from the pressing duties of his office. And we cordially agree
with him. In fact, we are heartily sick and tired of the whole
sorry business of this inquiry. Clearly, the Ministers who dabbled
in these American Marconi shares were guilty of an indiscretion, at
least, which they would be scarcely likely to repeat, seeing how
such conduct is popularly regarded, but it seems to us that the
inquiry has been prolonged beyond all reason. Enough has been
discovered to enable the House of Commons to pronounce its judgment
on the facts that have been elicited; which done, the matter might
be dropped. A secret hope appears to be entertained by Unionists
that the Prime Minister will be obliged to call upon the
Attorney-General and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to resign, but
of that there is no possibility. The Government will hang together
at all costs. Ministers will not allow themselves to be perturbed
by the pother over the question whether Mr Lloyd George was an
investor or speculator when he bought those shares of the
Attorney-General's brother. Not for such a trifle as this will they
voluntarily curtail their five-year tenure of official power.